Hargrove, Fujita present at grievance hearing

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; The two current Saints who face bounty-related suspensions are not present. Per Breer, linebacker Jonathan Vilma decided to remain with the team for offseason workouts. (Itís unknown why Smith didnít attend.)
Their absence doesnít mean they donít care. Given that ...

The two current Saints who face bounty-related suspensions are not present. Per Breer, linebacker Jonathan Vilma decided to remain with the team for offseason workouts. (Itís unknown why Smith didnít attend.)

Their absence doesnít mean they donít care. Given that Vilma and Smith play for the team that was hit hardest by the penalties, it makes sense for them to choose to stay at the workouts over attending the grievance hearing. They already believe theyíre facing unwarranted suspensions; why make it worse by missing the limited opportunities in the offseason to get ready for the regular season?

In a former life, I always encouraged clients to attend important hearings, since it demonstrates to the person making the decision that the person about whom the decision is being made takes the situation seriously and cares deeply about the outcome.

... and then he goes on to say, "Their absence doesn’t mean they don’t care" & "it makes sense for them to choose to stay at the workouts over attending the grievance hearing." ... I don't get it, which one is it? It's not like Florio to ride the fence on this issue ... and in what former life did Florio ever advise clients? I thought he was a butt-pirate/cabin boy for the HMS Bounty before this ... if they weren't there, I'd assume it was because they (Vilma/Smith) had something bigger & better planned then just appealing to Lord Goodell ... my 'Florio' rant is done, you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming ...

... I was thinking Iowa-class battleship style, myself ... as in the USS Missouri (BB-63), ... but I did find Tourette's referred to as "Turret's" online, so I guess it's one of those you say 'tomates', I say 'tomatos' kind of words, eh? Would have been one hell of an appeal with the players bringing those bad boys to the hearing, .

Hargrove is so turned around and vulnerable, twisting in the wind, he doesn't know what to do. At this point he'll do or say anything, to anyone, just to keep being able to play football. Fujita is hopping mad and he is an officer of the NFLPA and is also concerned about his life after football. This was ONLY the first hearing, to appeal whether Goodell has the power to punish players for the so-called bounty program, since it occurred prior to the current labor agreement signed last August. Since he is with the NFLPA, the interpretation of the specific terms of the CBA is obviously very important to Fujita...and since he's always been a bit of a trainwreck, Anthony Hargrove is obviously very keenly interested in being "excused" or not able to be punished for anything else he might have done prior to the labor agreement.

I think to get this OUT of the hands of His Lordship Goodell, the NFLPA decided it was best to send players to the hearing who were not involved with the Saints last season because the Saints were considered "still in the bounty business" last season.

These guys were accused of actions before the current NFLPA-NFL agreement. If they send these 2 to appeal away from Goodell, so to will Vilma and Smith.